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The Circus of Unusual Creatures #2
Tipping the Scales
Like any traveling circus, Zin’s has hair-raising acts and fried food on sticks. But it’s also got an aura-spotting centaur, a chain-smoking unicorn, and an omelet-addicted dragon.
Oh, and far too many dead bodies in the big top.
The Circus of Unusual Creatures is back in town.
When his circus arrives in Salem, Zin has his hooves crossed that all will go off without a hitch. Finances are tight but when the vivacious Ella shows up looking for work, well, you can’t say no to vivaciousness, can you?
Ella quickly puts up the hackles of the Dumble Dwarfs, the Flying Flynns, and even the peace-loving centaur Flora. So, when Ella’s pet iguana turns up dead, it’s assumed it was an act of revenge.
Trouble is, everyone seems to have an alibi. Everyone that is except Ella’s ex-boyfriend, who seems to have the perfect motive…a broken heart. And it isn’t long after he arrives that the body count climbs.
Eager to try his claws at investigating again, Duncan, Deadliest Dragon in the West, delves back into sleuthing and soon discovers troubling details of Ella’s past.
In this second installment of the humorous mystery series tempers and omelets are sizzling, the clues are troublesome, and the twists have nothing do with the Flying Flynns’ trapeze act. And of course, the fedoras are sparkly.
Don't miss the show. Reserve your front row seat for Tipping the Scales today.
Oh, and far too many dead bodies in the big top.
The Circus of Unusual Creatures is back in town.
When his circus arrives in Salem, Zin has his hooves crossed that all will go off without a hitch. Finances are tight but when the vivacious Ella shows up looking for work, well, you can’t say no to vivaciousness, can you?
Ella quickly puts up the hackles of the Dumble Dwarfs, the Flying Flynns, and even the peace-loving centaur Flora. So, when Ella’s pet iguana turns up dead, it’s assumed it was an act of revenge.
Trouble is, everyone seems to have an alibi. Everyone that is except Ella’s ex-boyfriend, who seems to have the perfect motive…a broken heart. And it isn’t long after he arrives that the body count climbs.
Eager to try his claws at investigating again, Duncan, Deadliest Dragon in the West, delves back into sleuthing and soon discovers troubling details of Ella’s past.
In this second installment of the humorous mystery series tempers and omelets are sizzling, the clues are troublesome, and the twists have nothing do with the Flying Flynns’ trapeze act. And of course, the fedoras are sparkly.
Don't miss the show. Reserve your front row seat for Tipping the Scales today.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2022
20 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Tammie Painter
54 books126 followersTHE RAMBLING BIO AND OFFER OF FREE STUFF
Many moons ago I was a scientist in a neuroscience lab where I got to play with brains and illegal drugs. Now, I take wickedly strong tea and turn it into comic fantasy whodunits full of mythical misfits and magical mishaps that I hope give you a giggle.
My tales run the gamut from the ever-expanding Cassie Black Trilogy with its wryly humorous paranormal mysteries to the comical fantasy whodunits in The Circus of Unusual Creatures , and from light-hearted novellas celebrating my love of books to short fiction in which I really flex my myth-loving and humor-craving muscles!
When I’m not creating worlds or killing off characters, I can be found gardening, planning my next travel adventure, concocting some sort of mess in the kitchen, or working as an unpaid servant to three cats and a guinea pig.
Want to learn more and get free stuff? Then be sure to pop by TammiePainter.com to see everything I'm up to and to grab your free copy of "Mrs. Morris Meets Death," a humorous tale of mortality, time management, cruise ships, and romance novels.
THE QUICK AS YOU CAN STORY BEHIND MY BOOKS...
My fascination for myths, history, and how they interweave inspired my two historical fantasy series, The Osteria Chronicles and my second series, Domna (you can grab your free series starters for those HERE and HERE).
But all those ancient myths and angst-ridden heroes got a bit too serious for someone with a strange sense of humor and odd way of looking at the world.
So, while sitting at my grandmother’s funeral, my brain came up with an idea for a contemporary fantasy trilogy that’s filled with magic, mystery, snarky humor, and the dead who just won’t stay dead. That idea turned into The Cassie Black Trilogy, which has turned into a fan favorite.
Then, because writer brains are weird, a simple elephant story I had in mind somehow morphed into a "hilarious" cozy fantasy series featuring a detecting dragon. So, if you like comic fantasy whodunits that mix in laughs with murderous mayhem, mythical beasts, and a staggering variety of omelets, you’ll want to check out my Circus of Unusual Creatures mysteries!
IF ALL THAT WASN"T ENOUGH, YOU CAN...
* Sign up for my monthly newsletter to get free stuff, exclusive bargains, and insights into my writing world,
* Head over to my Payhip Bookstore to shop directly through me and truly support an indie author.
* Browse this BookFunnel page to check out all my currently available books.
* Follow me on Bookbub to see my top book recommendations and get notified about most of my new releases.
Many moons ago I was a scientist in a neuroscience lab where I got to play with brains and illegal drugs. Now, I take wickedly strong tea and turn it into comic fantasy whodunits full of mythical misfits and magical mishaps that I hope give you a giggle.
My tales run the gamut from the ever-expanding Cassie Black Trilogy with its wryly humorous paranormal mysteries to the comical fantasy whodunits in The Circus of Unusual Creatures , and from light-hearted novellas celebrating my love of books to short fiction in which I really flex my myth-loving and humor-craving muscles!
When I’m not creating worlds or killing off characters, I can be found gardening, planning my next travel adventure, concocting some sort of mess in the kitchen, or working as an unpaid servant to three cats and a guinea pig.
Want to learn more and get free stuff? Then be sure to pop by TammiePainter.com to see everything I'm up to and to grab your free copy of "Mrs. Morris Meets Death," a humorous tale of mortality, time management, cruise ships, and romance novels.
THE QUICK AS YOU CAN STORY BEHIND MY BOOKS...
My fascination for myths, history, and how they interweave inspired my two historical fantasy series, The Osteria Chronicles and my second series, Domna (you can grab your free series starters for those HERE and HERE).
But all those ancient myths and angst-ridden heroes got a bit too serious for someone with a strange sense of humor and odd way of looking at the world.
So, while sitting at my grandmother’s funeral, my brain came up with an idea for a contemporary fantasy trilogy that’s filled with magic, mystery, snarky humor, and the dead who just won’t stay dead. That idea turned into The Cassie Black Trilogy, which has turned into a fan favorite.
Then, because writer brains are weird, a simple elephant story I had in mind somehow morphed into a "hilarious" cozy fantasy series featuring a detecting dragon. So, if you like comic fantasy whodunits that mix in laughs with murderous mayhem, mythical beasts, and a staggering variety of omelets, you’ll want to check out my Circus of Unusual Creatures mysteries!
IF ALL THAT WASN"T ENOUGH, YOU CAN...
* Sign up for my monthly newsletter to get free stuff, exclusive bargains, and insights into my writing world,
* Head over to my Payhip Bookstore to shop directly through me and truly support an indie author.
* Browse this BookFunnel page to check out all my currently available books.
* Follow me on Bookbub to see my top book recommendations and get notified about most of my new releases.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 2, 2023
I mean, vivacious is all well and good, but there can be too much of a good thing, right? Someone certainly thought so ... This is such a fun follow up to Hoard It All Before, with the main characters given more room to grow and more heinous crimes to solve. I love the world of Zin's Circus of Unusual Creatures, and I'd absolutely run away to join it if I could (and as long as someone could guarantee I wouldn't be the next victim, because the body count's kind of high ...)
May 25, 2022
More adventures at Zin's circus, with Duncan and Cordelia, amateur sleuths, trying to solve another mystery or two. We meet the old characters and a few new ones. This installment has shape-shifting elves and iguanas and even a meddling veela. The series keep getting better and I can't wait for the next volume.
I received an ARC of this work and this is my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this work and this is my honest opinion.
May 15, 2022
The circus of unusual creatures is back, and it is wildly entertaining with a heap of mysteries to be solved! Make sure you have eaten before you read though, Duncan the omelette loving dragon gets my stomach growling as he eats and investigates murders! This installment of the series has multiple crimes that need solving and plenty of twists to keep you guessing. A really fun and easy read that I would highly recommend!!
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
May 30, 2022
What a stunning sequel!
This was a charming tale of dragons, deception, and dastardly deeds, and I loved every minute of it.
Since the first book in the series, Duncan has settled into a new normal with his new handler Cordelia. Things seem to have calmed until a mysterious individual arrives at Zin's circus and a wave of murders rocks their small community. Can Duncan figure out what foul play is afoot or will the body count reach horrifying heights?
After being a bit disappointed lately with some reads, this was just the adventure I needed to clear my bookish palate.
Once again, the characters truly made this journey exciting and entertaining. Duncan is hilarious and continues to make some really great puns throughout that made me laugh. I liked his snarky interactions with Cordelia, and all his little character flaws make him even more adorable. Boris and Fergus played strong secondary roles in the plot this time around, and were also really enjoyable. I need to get me a pink sequined hat and trench coat!
The plot was great. It was darker in nature given that there are murders, but steeped in wit and a lighthearted feel that I've come to expect of Painter. The mystery had me fooled quite a bit longer this time around, so I also applaud the author for that. It wasn't until the last third of the book where I really started figuring things out.
Overall, if you love punny jokes, dragons, and a lighthearted fantasy story, you can't go wrong with this series. Definitely give it a try!
This was a charming tale of dragons, deception, and dastardly deeds, and I loved every minute of it.
Since the first book in the series, Duncan has settled into a new normal with his new handler Cordelia. Things seem to have calmed until a mysterious individual arrives at Zin's circus and a wave of murders rocks their small community. Can Duncan figure out what foul play is afoot or will the body count reach horrifying heights?
After being a bit disappointed lately with some reads, this was just the adventure I needed to clear my bookish palate.
Once again, the characters truly made this journey exciting and entertaining. Duncan is hilarious and continues to make some really great puns throughout that made me laugh. I liked his snarky interactions with Cordelia, and all his little character flaws make him even more adorable. Boris and Fergus played strong secondary roles in the plot this time around, and were also really enjoyable. I need to get me a pink sequined hat and trench coat!
The plot was great. It was darker in nature given that there are murders, but steeped in wit and a lighthearted feel that I've come to expect of Painter. The mystery had me fooled quite a bit longer this time around, so I also applaud the author for that. It wasn't until the last third of the book where I really started figuring things out.
Overall, if you love punny jokes, dragons, and a lighthearted fantasy story, you can't go wrong with this series. Definitely give it a try!
February 19, 2023
If there is one thing about Zin’s Circus of Unusual Creatures besides the sensational nail-biting acts that sport centaurs, dwarves and a dragon, an occasional dead body pops up somewhere on the circus’grounds.
When Zin’s Circus arrives in Salem, Oregon things could only get a little more bewildering when the beautiful Ella Penn shows up looking for work. This gorgeous gal is turning heads as well as stirring things up with all the performers. When Ella’s pet iguana turns up dead, things really start to spiral into a confusing case of who-done-it for what-reason. Our resident dragon detective, Duncan, feels the need to find out who and why. In finding out who, other bodies begin to turn up and the case gets more complicated when Ella’s ex-boyfriend shows up looking for her.
This is a charming continuation of our dragon sleuth, Duncan, and friends as they try to untangle all the stuff spinning around the Big Top. The levity in this second book will make you smile and giggle often. It will keep you guessing, right up until the end. A great read.
When Zin’s Circus arrives in Salem, Oregon things could only get a little more bewildering when the beautiful Ella Penn shows up looking for work. This gorgeous gal is turning heads as well as stirring things up with all the performers. When Ella’s pet iguana turns up dead, things really start to spiral into a confusing case of who-done-it for what-reason. Our resident dragon detective, Duncan, feels the need to find out who and why. In finding out who, other bodies begin to turn up and the case gets more complicated when Ella’s ex-boyfriend shows up looking for her.
This is a charming continuation of our dragon sleuth, Duncan, and friends as they try to untangle all the stuff spinning around the Big Top. The levity in this second book will make you smile and giggle often. It will keep you guessing, right up until the end. A great read.
June 11, 2022
This is the second in The Circus of Unusual Creatures series and follows the excellent opening to the series "Hoard It All Before". In this book our hero Duncan aka Brutus Fangwrath, the world's greatest dragon detective, has his paws full trying to solve not one but three murders, although he has his friends to help him, The book is an excellent read, very funny - I was kept on the edge of my seat not knowing what was going to happen next. Well worth reading and looking forward to the next instalment in this hilarious series,
August 31, 2025
when I look at my list of highest rated books, the ones that stand out are those written by authors who create new and interesting characters in an imagination fueled story.
Yes, these stories are light but they are different and new. They roll along nicely without resorting to any long boring descriptions of scenery or similar that just take up space.
I have the next one in the series and will have look for the next 2. I hope the author keeps up the momentum and things don't take a majorly serious turn as I think they might....
Yes, these stories are light but they are different and new. They roll along nicely without resorting to any long boring descriptions of scenery or similar that just take up space.
I have the next one in the series and will have look for the next 2. I hope the author keeps up the momentum and things don't take a majorly serious turn as I think they might....
June 11, 2022
This was such an amazing second book in the series with captivating characters and a great storyline. I absolutely loved reading this wonderful humorous mystery! Duncan, the dragon has such an intriguing personality. An amazing story with unexpected twists along the way! I received a free copy of the book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
March 13, 2023
A new favorite series
Such a fun mystery/fantasy with great characters. Highly recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of a twist in their mythical creatures, circuses and murder mysteries
Such a fun mystery/fantasy with great characters. Highly recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of a twist in their mythical creatures, circuses and murder mysteries
January 8, 2024
Another interesting circus story
This book continued the tale of the dragon and his circus friends. It was quite exciting and entertaining. There were murders to be solved and possible new romances.
This book continued the tale of the dragon and his circus friends. It was quite exciting and entertaining. There were murders to be solved and possible new romances.
June 7, 2022
With Duncan and crew.
A new series of murders to solve, and omlettes to eat, a dragons life is never easy.
More humour and sleuthing from our amateur detectives.
I recieved an arc of this book
A new series of murders to solve, and omlettes to eat, a dragons life is never easy.
More humour and sleuthing from our amateur detectives.
I recieved an arc of this book
Read
March 7, 2023I'm enjoying this series. Duncan is a fabulous narrator.
June 4, 2023
Cute series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews