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Hidden Spells
HIDDEN SPELLS: Book #2 of the Award Winning Witch/Mystery Series
Picking up seven years later, this second witch book features the feisty, middle sister, Carly Good. Tough on the outside, vulnerable on the inside, she's determined to not only prove her magical prowess to her family and the world, she also has worked hard to forget how her ex-boyfriend, Josh, had inexplicably left her so long ago––without a trace.
But in a flash, things are flipped upside down. Suddenly, Josh is now back in town, having written an article about a fifty-year-old missing person case. And if that weren't enough, a murdered woman's body has just been found, rocking the little community of Wheelton Connecticut and causing everyone to wonder: How can two such different, separate cases cause so much havoc?
But are they really different cases? And will Josh and Carly get back together?
#Magic, #Romance #MurderMystery, #Time Travel, #CockatooHumor
Picking up seven years later, this second witch book features the feisty, middle sister, Carly Good. Tough on the outside, vulnerable on the inside, she's determined to not only prove her magical prowess to her family and the world, she also has worked hard to forget how her ex-boyfriend, Josh, had inexplicably left her so long ago––without a trace.
But in a flash, things are flipped upside down. Suddenly, Josh is now back in town, having written an article about a fifty-year-old missing person case. And if that weren't enough, a murdered woman's body has just been found, rocking the little community of Wheelton Connecticut and causing everyone to wonder: How can two such different, separate cases cause so much havoc?
But are they really different cases? And will Josh and Carly get back together?
#Magic, #Romance #MurderMystery, #Time Travel, #CockatooHumor
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2022
6 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
S.R. Mallery
23 books339 followersS. R. Mallery has worn many hats in her life. Starting out as a classical/pop singer/composer, she moved onto the professional world of production art and calligraphy, followed by a long career as an award winning quilt artist/teacher and an ESL/Reading instructor. Her short stories have been published in descent 2008, Snowy Egret, Transcendent Visions, The Storyteller and Down In the Dirt. Unexpected Gifts is her debut novel. Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads, a collection, is due out late 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 4, 2022
Carly Good wasn't the best witch when it came to spells. She wanted to improve, though, so she uses the opportunity of teaching her niece, Evie, as a way to do that. When those spells start to work, she's all smiles and her success makes her want to keep at it until she's as good as her sister was when they were kids. She was always jealous of how wonderful her sister, Gilly, was at spells, and how her family always praised her, and that drove her to want to succeed.
Then Josh comes back to town. Josh is Carly's ex-boyfriend who left her with barely a word seven years earlier. Carly always thought he just didn't love her enough to stay, so to see him back in town was a shock, but to hear he'd written an article about a missing person case from half a century ago really piqued her curiosity. Why was Josh back in town and would he stay this time? Did he still have feelings for her as she did for him? Josh had always been the one who got away for Carly, but he also hurt her deeply by leaving the way he did.
Hidden Spells is not my normal genre, so I approached it with a skeptical eye, but the first page pulled me in and kept me reading this witchy paranormal/cozy mystery-feeling romance. The Good clan wanted to do good with their abilities, so I guess you could say she was a good witch *winks*. The addition of her niece, Evie, who is far more talented than anyone realizes, and their resident cockatoo Joselyn, Hidden Spells will keep you chuckling as you read and smiling when you close the cover of this unexpectedly fun and well-written cozy romance.
Then Josh comes back to town. Josh is Carly's ex-boyfriend who left her with barely a word seven years earlier. Carly always thought he just didn't love her enough to stay, so to see him back in town was a shock, but to hear he'd written an article about a missing person case from half a century ago really piqued her curiosity. Why was Josh back in town and would he stay this time? Did he still have feelings for her as she did for him? Josh had always been the one who got away for Carly, but he also hurt her deeply by leaving the way he did.
Hidden Spells is not my normal genre, so I approached it with a skeptical eye, but the first page pulled me in and kept me reading this witchy paranormal/cozy mystery-feeling romance. The Good clan wanted to do good with their abilities, so I guess you could say she was a good witch *winks*. The addition of her niece, Evie, who is far more talented than anyone realizes, and their resident cockatoo Joselyn, Hidden Spells will keep you chuckling as you read and smiling when you close the cover of this unexpectedly fun and well-written cozy romance.
November 1, 2025
I am a fan of S.R. Mallery’s books. There hasn’t yet been one that I didn’t love. Having just finished Hidden Spells, book 2 in the Gambit House Mysteries, I only wish there was a third.
The realistic way that Mallery’s characters and plots are woven, regardless of the genre of the book is masterful.
Hidden Spells, features the middle sister Carly, who has grown up in the shadow of her older sister’s ability to do spells. Carly, as most middle children feels the need to compete. But does she? When the love of her life comes back to town, she is confused, still hurt, and still in love.
Why did he leave her without a word? Why did he come back?
An old cold case is open, and it seems that both Josh and Carly are targets. Someone, doesn’t want it opened. But who? Is the new murder of Amelia tied to the old cold case, or a separate murder?
What is the motive? Carly, along with her niece Evie, and the family Cockatoo Joselyn practice spells together, and when they seem to be working, is it Carly or coincidence?
So much depends on finding the murderers.
I LOVED this story, the antics of Joselyn, the family dynamics and, as a mystery buff, the murders went unknown to me till the very end.
The realistic way that Mallery’s characters and plots are woven, regardless of the genre of the book is masterful.
Hidden Spells, features the middle sister Carly, who has grown up in the shadow of her older sister’s ability to do spells. Carly, as most middle children feels the need to compete. But does she? When the love of her life comes back to town, she is confused, still hurt, and still in love.
Why did he leave her without a word? Why did he come back?
An old cold case is open, and it seems that both Josh and Carly are targets. Someone, doesn’t want it opened. But who? Is the new murder of Amelia tied to the old cold case, or a separate murder?
What is the motive? Carly, along with her niece Evie, and the family Cockatoo Joselyn practice spells together, and when they seem to be working, is it Carly or coincidence?
So much depends on finding the murderers.
I LOVED this story, the antics of Joselyn, the family dynamics and, as a mystery buff, the murders went unknown to me till the very end.
February 16, 2022
Despite a notoriously shaky skill with spells, Carly Good is determined to prove her prowess in magic to her clan. “She would increase her practice spells to become even more proficient.”
Carly is jolted to learn that her ex-boyfriend Josh, who left her abruptly without an explanation and left no trace, has written a book about an unresolved missing person case dating back fifty yeas. The mystery gains urgency when a woman’s body is found, setting the entire community of Wheelton in an uproar.
Carly’s surprise at his sudden literary endeavor and his interest in the case is parroted by joselyn, her delightful cockatoo, which sprinkles bits of humor throughout the story. “Nothing like getting advice from a fine, feathered gal.” Love for Josh is not enough anymore. Carly must learn what he knows about the cold case and gather clues about the new on. Should she trust Josh—or not?
Five stars.
Disclosure: I learned abut S.R. Mallery’s books when both of us took part in a multi-author boxset. Since then I have read and enjoyed many of them in both historical fiction and cozy mystery genres.
Carly is jolted to learn that her ex-boyfriend Josh, who left her abruptly without an explanation and left no trace, has written a book about an unresolved missing person case dating back fifty yeas. The mystery gains urgency when a woman’s body is found, setting the entire community of Wheelton in an uproar.
Carly’s surprise at his sudden literary endeavor and his interest in the case is parroted by joselyn, her delightful cockatoo, which sprinkles bits of humor throughout the story. “Nothing like getting advice from a fine, feathered gal.” Love for Josh is not enough anymore. Carly must learn what he knows about the cold case and gather clues about the new on. Should she trust Josh—or not?
Five stars.
Disclosure: I learned abut S.R. Mallery’s books when both of us took part in a multi-author boxset. Since then I have read and enjoyed many of them in both historical fiction and cozy mystery genres.
March 31, 2022
Carly Good would do anything to improve her spell work. She’s never been good with spells, but now she is determined to prove her spell mastery to her coven. So she sets to work with the attitude that practice makes perfect. Before long, Carley is shocked to learn her spells actually work!
However, seven years ago, Carly’s ex-boyfriend Josh left her without a word. Suddenly, he reappears in town. With the discovery of a woman’s body, Carley struggles to understand why Josh wrote a book about a missing person case from fifty years ago. And how are the dead woman and the cold case related? And what about Josh? Did he come back to her for good this time?
This is a delightfully lighthearted mystery filled with witchy goodness. Not every witch has to be bad, you know. Another fun character to watch for is Joselyn, the cockatoo. She adds a bit of laughter to the family. This cozy mystery kept me wondering who did it, right up to the end! I look forward to more stories featuring the Good clan.
However, seven years ago, Carly’s ex-boyfriend Josh left her without a word. Suddenly, he reappears in town. With the discovery of a woman’s body, Carley struggles to understand why Josh wrote a book about a missing person case from fifty years ago. And how are the dead woman and the cold case related? And what about Josh? Did he come back to her for good this time?
This is a delightfully lighthearted mystery filled with witchy goodness. Not every witch has to be bad, you know. Another fun character to watch for is Joselyn, the cockatoo. She adds a bit of laughter to the family. This cozy mystery kept me wondering who did it, right up to the end! I look forward to more stories featuring the Good clan.
April 30, 2023
Hidden Spells: A Gambit House Mystery is the second book the series by S. R. Mallery, following Endangered Spells, which was published in 2020. This book follows the second. This book’s protagonist is Carly Good, the second of the three Good sisters, and seemingly the weakest in magic. Carly, however, has other good qualities. She is intelligent, persistent and doesn’t put up with nonsense.
Hidden Spells begins with the news that Carly’s former boyfriend, Josh, who had dumped her without an explanation, is now an investigative journalist and is back in town. What follows is a well-written mystery/romance with paranormal overtones. The witches’ abilities play a large role. The characters are well drawn and sympathetic. The resolution to what turns out to be a complicated mystery is clever, and I didn’t see it coming. The resolution to the romance is appropriate and the book ends just as it should. Highly recommended.
Hidden Spells begins with the news that Carly’s former boyfriend, Josh, who had dumped her without an explanation, is now an investigative journalist and is back in town. What follows is a well-written mystery/romance with paranormal overtones. The witches’ abilities play a large role. The characters are well drawn and sympathetic. The resolution to what turns out to be a complicated mystery is clever, and I didn’t see it coming. The resolution to the romance is appropriate and the book ends just as it should. Highly recommended.
April 8, 2024
Author S.R. Mallery brings us the second tale in the Good family house hold. This time focusing on Gillian's sister Carly, as well as Gillian's daughter Evie. As the story opens it's been seven years since Gillian and Nate came together. It's also been seven years since Carly last saw her former boyfriend Josh. Carly and Evie have a great relationship which is strengthened by the both of them being practicing witches. Carly shows Evie some love spells after she finds out that her former boyfriend wrote an article for the local paper. She still has feelings for Josh and at first she is afraid to tell him. But when a murder comes to the small town Evie can tell that her aunt wants her former boyfriend and helps. Though we don't find out until the end what she did. I highly recommend this series to all Fantasy and Charmed fans. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 8, 2022
Carley Goode has never been any good with spells--and she is still heartbroken that Josh just up and left her 7 years ago. Well all of a sudden her spells start to work? Maybe because the rest of her family has stopped doing them--she is so very happy! Her young niece is even happier for her. Suddenly Josh reappears and things get kind of crazy--and some other woman appears in town. Carley does not know who to trust! Meanwhile the pet cockatoo is definitely comic relief. You are going to love him.
Carley starts doing all kinds of spells and is so proud because they seem to be working. The ending will make you a bit sad for Carley--but all in all what a happy novel.
Carley starts doing all kinds of spells and is so proud because they seem to be working. The ending will make you a bit sad for Carley--but all in all what a happy novel.
May 26, 2024
The story written about a cold case file of murder has things going a bit off course. The Good family members are looking into a few things. They also have their own secrets. This is a bewitching mystery and a look at the lives past, and present of the Good family and the people who interact with them. This is an intriguing tale, by a wonderful author who has many tantalizing tales to check out.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews