Magic's a Hoot

The Owl Star Witch Mysteries #3

by Leanne Leeds

I assumed that everyone the “goddess” wanted saved was worth saving. But then the glowing star card flashes in the direction of a sleazy alcoholic insurance salesman, and I’m left wondering what the divine logic is behind this one.

I didn't want to return to Forkbridge, Florida, but I had to. And it hasn't turned out too bad. Mom, the high priestess, is beginning to relax. My four sisters are becoming more at ease with me. My divine owl Archie is still a pain in the neck, but I didn't return for him. I've even made friends with Detective Emma Sullivan of the Forkbridge Police Department.

Things seem to be going well.

I don’t give Gloria Fisher much thought when she comes in for a reading with Ami at Mom’s New Age shop. She suspects Will, her alcoholic husband, is cheating on her. It’s basically the same reading as half of Ami’s readings. But when the star card drops and glows pointing toward her husband’s danger and the goddess’s demand he be saved, I realize the gods really might be crazy.

My investigation further devolves into chaos when a painting Will Fisher insured goes missing. What’s even worse? Detective Emma Sullivan thinks he might’ve been in on the scheme.

Can I find the painting, clear the man, and keep his whole life policy in force? Or will William Fisher’s accidental death insurance pay out?

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal

Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2022

About the author

Leanne Leeds is an enchanting storyteller who spins magical tales of mystery, humor, and heart. Her whimsical contemporary paranormal mystery novels whisk readers away to a world where magic feels familiar and adventure waits around every corner.

With a charming voice and sprinkle of good-natured wit on every page, Leanne crafts stories as unexpected as they are captivating. Her quirky characters and serendipitous events intersect in delightfully unforeseen ways, delivering a reading experience as cozy as it is enthralling. Whether reading her paranormal cozies or paranormal women's fiction, readers will find a touch of enchantment in each word.

Reviews

[Debbie]

Generally, I enjoyed this book. The concept is different; the whole backstory sets the MC up as something different than the usual cozy mystery witch. Makes a nice change. Otherwise, most of the necessary items are ticked off. There's the large family; although, less warm and inviting than most. I like that the investigative work doesn't have to be done while hiding from the cop friend (unlike the normal cop BOYfriend). I would have wished for more humor. The owl can only provide so much comic relief. There are occasionally aspects of the investigation that don't hold together, but since this falls under the heading of "suspension of reality" so I can live with that. More humor and this could become a real favorite.

[Brad]

The series really takes off with this story. I’ve read and enjoyed the first two stories. This one does a lot to develop the central characters, their relationships, and the world in which they exist. Since one is a vampire, I can’t really say live.

Astra’s friendship with Emma gets strained and she loses her job with the police due to Emma’s brother Rex. And that’s just the start. The plot gets complicated when Astra has to save two people and one of them is Rex.

There’s some great dialogue and plenty of plot twists. There’s even a classic whiteboard session to try to connect all the facts.

Enjoy!

[Gail]

Really enjoying these books.

Another star cards pops up, but not for the woman having the reading, but her husband.

That gets arrested for stealing a painting. But did he??

Astra, whilst looking into this, also has to put up with Emma's vampire brother, who's causing trouble and getting her FIRED?!?!?

The deeper this goes, it seems everything is just, well, wrong.

Then a second star card appears, this one tells her she needs to make certain the pain in the backside vamp, doesn't die, again.

Fab writing, great characters 😁❤

Onto the next 😁😁

[Stephanie]

I am loving Astra and her family because in this book the author really starts to delve into all the characters and backstory's if you will. Astra is getting to work with Emma again but since the star card has come up twice she needs to save Emma and her brother rex. So much happening and all so good. I thought I loved the first two books but this one wow takes the cake so amazing and I want more please.

[Elizabeth]

Vampires and Witches

An intriguing story of twists and turns with Emma - simply a Detective and Astra a witch - friends who just seem to get into complicated situations.
I liked the first 2 adventures these unusual friends had - this one not so much. Too many characters doing too many things which made it for me a bit hard to follow.
Still......love this author and her Tories and will definitely get book 4!

[Bonnie Washington]

I like this series

I had just finished reading a 10 book series before I started on this one. The problem with reading a series is you become so invested in the characters and plots and then you have to start over. So as I trudged thru the first book I kept telling myself I like the books from the other series better, but by the end of the first one in Ms Leeds books I was hooked. The ending was unexpected and I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out in the next book.

[Barb Foerst]

Astra’s friendship and job with Emma is being brought to an end by Emma’s brother Rex. Rex has bound Emma’s mind to him. When the star card turns up twice and the second time indicates that Rex must be saved in the 72 hours, Emma and Astra are forced to work together again.

I loved this story. Great character development, we learn a lot of back story, and it’s a good mystery.

[M.A.SPRIGGS]

Another fun read

A quick entertaining read with a family of dysfunctional witches, an ex-military soldier getting used to civilian life and being a Police consultant trying to prevent a death. Well written and nicely paced storyline that kept me hooked until the very end. Highly recommend.

[Jodi Sweet]

I could not put this book down! There were so many things happening, it was a magical whirlwind! Plots and subplots blurring together to form one HUGE plot to be solved. It was absolutely amazing! I need the next book!!

[Angel Ballard]

Things go really pear-shaped for Astra and she finds herself trying to solve another glowing star card case with the potential deaths of 2 people this time. There is a lot of strain placed on her and Emma's friendship but she pushes forward to a wonderful conclusion! Great read!

[holly gonzalez]

Love this series

Thus 3rd book doesn't disappoint. The characters are awesome. They keep getting better and better. Thus mystery had some humor to it, but if you look closely you might find that it ties into somethings that happen in the "real" world. Don't miss thus series.

[Carol Darling]

Suspended

Emma's brother is a vampire and has been told one of his friends has been killed by Emma's best friend. It's a lie but they can't prove it. Now finding out who did it and keeping the star person alive are top slots on the to do list. Good Read. Funny at times.

[Margarita Rose]

Lies

So many lies are being shared about Astral. Rex has done something to Emma and she is not herself. Rex lied to the police captain and got Astral fired. Will they figure out what is going on and why Rex is acting so out of character?

[Ted]

Astra Saves Vampires

I enjoyed this Book. I found the plot involving Emma's vampire brother fun to read. Every author has different attributes that vampires have and this book made them even more mysterious. I loved it.

[Lisa]

Loved it!

I loved this book and story line and series of books they are so good and so well written and interesting and I am loving these characters!

[Therese]

Best One Yet

Humans and witches and vampires, oh my! Fun and fast moving story. The best one in the series yet. Looking forward to Book 4.

[Cat]

This Universe is the Best!!

I read the first series in this Universe and couldn’t put it down. Finding this one has been an absolute hoot! (Pun intended)

[Matthew Murray]

Fantastic

I have to say this series is of the best series that I have read your characters,humor and story line are excellent.

[William Perry]

A great book

Fun imagining Paranormals involved in Mafia Like crimes. I read this in one sitting (except for potty breaks). It was fun and the pace was good.

[Meg]

Another fun adventure with Astra.
Gentle enough to be a quick read, but with enough mystery to not be boring.

[Jayne Walker]

Great series

A fun and captivating series. Well written. It has a good platform to produce many more books in the future

[Winslow Christine]

Love this series!

I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Kooky characters and Archie is a real smart mouth.

[Betty L Madison]

ready to start 4th book

This is great. I love the character and the owl., family, friendship, loyalty. Fun. Amazon is my go to place but seriously it required yo have too many eo

[JANE VAN HORN]

Great book

This is a great series by Leanne Leeds. I love all of the characters, especially Archie The Godesses own owl. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Peggy]

I'm not giving any spoiers away. But I recommend this entire series.

[Penny Perse]

Magic Is A Hoot

Now what to read. These were really great and I’m just happy I got to read them. Are there some more witch books not there. I would like to know more about them.

[Melissa Walker]

Funny paranormal mystery

Every page or two has something that makes me either chuckle or laugh out loud. I like the story and the characters.

[Cherry Mischievous]

My Thoughts:
Another wonderful installment in the Owl Star Witch Mysteries!

I've said this before in my review of the first two books in this series, these books have plots! That always comes as a surprise to me whenever that happens in an urban fantasy book because I've read many and that almost never happens!! Another thing I like about the books in this series is that they all end with a resolution to the dilemma in the book. I guess that is one of the benefits of having a plot to begin with. And of course the main progtagonist is not too stupid to live! Kudos to the author!!

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = 4.5
Plot = 4

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5