Odd Times for Sophie Feegle

Sophie Feegle #3

by Gwen DeMarco

Welcome to the Mythical town of Murias – a quaint little town in Cascadia where fairytale creatures quietly live among humans. When a series of unsolved and bizarre murders occurs, it threatens to expose the Mythicals in town. And the timing couldn’t be worse: Murias’s Hunter's Moon Festival – Cascadia’s largest Mythical event – is less than a week away.

Sophie’s unique powers are called into action once more. Marcella, head of the Fae Conclave, has a vested interest in ensuring Murias’s is a success and sends Sophie and Mac to find the murderer. This has the added benefit of getting Sophie out of San Francisco, where a local wolf shifter pack has her in their sights after the death of their alpha.

Much to Sophie’s chagrin, the Conclave also wants her to work closely with her newly discovered twin sister Ruby. While Ruby has her own unique supernatural abilities, she is everything that Sophie is not: bubbly, cheerful, and a “reformed” serial killer.

At least Sophie gets to bring her fox shifter boyfriend Mac on the trip, meet Mac’s family, and, if all goes well, maybe even experience the Hunter's Moon Festival. But as always with Sophie, things start to get odd in the town of Murias.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Mystery, Fae, Magic

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2022

About the author

Gwen DeMarco is an avid reader, wine & coffee drinker, gardener and a lover of all things nerdy. Gwen loves to write paranormal romance novels with a focus on the weird and wonderful. She loves to write a good snarky heroine and a grumpy male lead. Sophie and the Odd Ones is her first foray into the world of shifters, fae, ogres and vampires.

Gwen is happily married to her high school sweetheart and has two teenage children. She can often be found with her nose in a book and a glass of wine or mug of coffee in her hand.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really fun series with a fabulous heroine, interesting intrigue, a great love interest, and lots of sound family. I adore that Sophie's best friend is an old lady!

The audiobook narrator does a great job of not getting in the way. I just enjoy it and have a great time! Two books to go before I can tell you if it's worth reading the series. There is some overarching mystery that gets more revealed each time but also gets a little bit more mysterious each time.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Sophie. Mac, Ruby and the Odd ones are taking a trip to visit Mac’s dad and investigate some murders. What a way to finally meet the family. This book was awesome. Sophie and Ruby meeting Carson, Mac’s dad was endearing and hilarious. Carson was a definite dad and seemed to gravitate to protecting Ruby while inflicting dad guilt on her. Meanwhile, Ruby the serial killer… sorry “vigilante” is desperate to form familial connections with Sophie but Sophie has to get over her leeriness and wariness of connecting with Ruby. Between betrayals, druids on a rampage, possible mole in the conclave and a wolf attack, Sophie and the gang are in a rollicking, fantasy adventure that’s not close to ending. Ruby anc Sophie discovering what they are was just 💔💔💔💔but thankfully they have a supportive teAm at their banks.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Sophie and Ruby. There is more angst for them. They are able to solve more murders. Sophie gets to meet Mac's dad. There is even a bit of fun to be had by all. Unfortunately the mystery surrounding Ruby and Sophie will continue in book four. Janine Granda is the perfect narrator for this series.

[Mender · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Murders are happening in the one small mythic/human experimental town, so the Conclave is sending in its two new favourite death-unravelling agents to solve the case. It also happens to be the town where Detective Boi Mac's dad Carson is sheriff.

I didn't get any sort of delightful 'meet the family' moments, that was kind of taken in stride unfortunately.

Meeting the townspeople was nice, the general set-up was good. I'm not sure where it all turned underwhelming for me.

First off, I'm sure she didn't intend to set it up that way, but by the end of the book Detective's Dad comes off as super incompetent. Like, it's a tiny podunk town. And there are multiple ritual murders taking place there that he has no clue about.

Seriously, the morgue would probably only be big enough to hold two bodies max in a town that size. And now you have, what? The three they found which were why Sophie et al were called in. And then how many exactly from the druid camp? Three that were intact enough with brains so Sophie could read them. The one druid brother Ruby kills. And then whatever remains have been partially cremated in the fire. So we're already at max before the story kicks up a gear.

Then, we have the wolf gang attack. Which is still not connected to the wolf pack that is hunting people for sport. It's just a dude deciding to keep having a go at Sophie. It's explicitly stated she kills one of them, so that's another corpse for the 2-bodies-and-our-freezers-are-at-capacity morgue. Possibly more of them died here, too. And like, exactly how many wolves were attacking them? Enough to give Mac and all of her morgue workmates a run for their money and be losing, until the cavalry ride in. So... where are they all being held, the ones who live? Sheriff Mac's Dad doesn't have a crap ton of space to hold criminals either, and three of the cells are already full of druids.

Then you have the ending, which part of me likes and part of me is eh on. I love that she's split into five parts, I am so here for that. But I would have liked the girls to get away on their own, given how close they were to achieving that anyway. And the actual logistics about the baker-woman's reveal? I was going to do it from memory, but decided to haul up the actual chapter to get it right.

"A couple of months ago, Bramwell... found someone who had managed to put two shards back together."

So they've only been trying to do this for a couple of months, including the time working with voodoo guy to create a spell at all. Somehow in this time, they've managed to track down how many shards? Let's see: "The first six experiments were complete disasters. The poor shards didn't survive the ritual." So six groups of experiments, that's at least 12 dead bodies.

Then, an experiment that didn't kill the shards, but didn't fully work, and created crazy Milford Bradley. One extra dead body, the spare that was left behind.

"It took us a couple of tries, but we finally figured it out." So that means another two at least sets of shards after that. So that's at least one more try that was a failure, which probably means two dead bodies. Then if they had success after that, for each merged pair of minds, that's another corpse buried in the woods somewhere. Who was a whole and intact person up until the experiment, if we are accepting that Sophie is a whole person enough on her own to be a love interest to Mac. Which I think we have to be.

So three more corpses there, minimum.

This is a lot of dead bodies for Sheriff Carson to have on his hands that he is completely oblivious to. Bramwell has imported at least 9 sets of identical twins over a couple of months into town. How the ever living hell did no-one in this tiny town where everyone gossips about everyone else's pies, did no-one notice this? Even just the 'oh, he seems to be coming and going an awful lot lately' part. For that matter, how is Bramwell tracking all these shards down? If he can get his hands on that many in that short a space of time, that means he's got to have a direct line to Sophie and Ruby that he can call them in at any time too, and presumably put them under the mind-control obedience spell again too. Creepy.

So yeah. I'm not hella impressed at the way Mac's dad runs his town, and but I am reluctantly impressed at Cordelia being willing to murder fifteen people in only two months.

I think I'm so overwhelmed by the numbers that I can't see the story straight. And also I feel a bit weird for Mac, dating someone who is only a fifth of a person.

It was not bad as a story, but just a bit too heavy on the suspension of disbelief for me by the end.

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Sophie Feegle series starts off after the events of the last book. The wolves are still after Sophie and after a close call, Marcella decides to send Sophie, Ruby and Mac to a town full of mythicals, Cascadia, to keep the away from the wolves and to use their special skills to help solve murders happening there.
Sophie is definitely a tough nut to crack. Used to being on her own for so long, she is having a hard time with Ruby wanting to always be near her. Ruby is that person who is always chipper, even at 6am without coffee. (Strange for a serial killer right!) But Sophie is definitely growing and realizing she is being too hard on her. Mac is definitely one of the reasons for her personal growth! They make such an adorable couple.
I love all the new characters and types of mythicals we get to meet in this book as well. Carson, Mac’s dad is the sheriff in this town and despite his country demeanor, he’s a no nonsense officer of the law. And there are lots of townspeople who may or may not get mixed up in all the illegal activities. And when Ruby goes all out trying to shake hands, how much more will they dredge up?!
And as far as surprises go, whew! There were some big ones towards the end of the book! It was definitely an interesting take on the long lost sister idea and I am definitely intrigued!
This is a fun, easy and quick listen. I enjoy this series and can’t wait to see where it goes after the revelations made!

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shifter attacks Sophie in her bedroom. Mac kills him. Ruby is another majrcharcter and is referred to as having a 'psycho cheerleader personality.'

Right off that makes her really interesting. Mac, Sophie and Ruby get sent to Cascadia and they find out there could be another 'sister' shard. Then there's a guy found dead in a forest. (Anyone ever think about how many people have died in all these series?)

There's a quote that I really liked in the story. "May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you're gone.'

There's yet another murder, an attack of wolf shifters. There's also a matter of tattoos on the sister's heads and a revelation that none of them are what they appear to be.

There's more problems for Sophia but an understanding is achieved of just what is really going on.

I really like the Sophie character and all the main characters in the book. There is a good bit of action, a good bit of mystery and a lot of strangeness which, to me, makes the book really good reading.

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Sophie is attacked by wolf shifters, trying to avenge their alpha, the conclave decides that Mac, along with Sophie and her long-lost sister will answer the call from Mac’s father for help with some strange murders. This will keep Sophie and Ruby safe as well as allow the conclave to see how well they work together.
Under the cover of visiting his dad and enjoying the local Hunters Moon Festival, Sophie, Ruby and Mac head out.
It’s a quaint little town where supernatural and human live side by side, fully aware of each other. Everyone seems very welcoming so while Sophie works with the local coroner, Ruby wanders the town touching people to see if they have killed anyone.
The murders get a bit more gruesome and when the local coroner reaches out to Sophies boss for help, all of the Odd Ones come to town.
There is a fair amount of action, magic, some gruesome bodies and violence, suspense and a big surprise.
I almost said to hell with the review and started the next book right away but changed my mind. This series definitely gets better and more interesting as it goes along.

[P · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just keeps getting better!

I love this character. Sophie has to be one of my favorite snarky heroines. She's adorable and so smart and gifted, it's easy to she why Mac loves her so. The world building is very skilled and so imaginative. Sophie and Mac have to visit a festival in a nearby magical place and try to solve the latest crisis. I can't stress enough how much you will enjoy the story. Whether you have read the first two or not you will still fall in love with our Mac. He's the best kind of man for Sophie and we learn more about him and has background in this festival. Sophie has a twin sister that is gifted as well and we find out more about this strange situation. Y'all there is alot of wonderful creatures and magical beings and of course lots of romance. Please give this a try. This author is really amazing and she keeps it so interesting. This book has everything you want. Sci-fi romance and new ideas are hard to come by and I know others will love it as well. Sophie is a real superhero to me!!!

[Spinneretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Sophie and Mac end up going up the coast to the mystical town of Murias, where Mac’s dad lives. An odd case has need of Sophie’s gift, and the Conclave want Ruby to go with them!
Once the twins arrive, they unearth several different crimes, and find some startling revelations.

There’s so much happening in this story, it’s almost enough to make a reader breathless.
From solving crimes, meeting Mac’s dad, and dealing with some interesting personal news, Sophie has a lot on her plate. She proves to be surprisingly adept at dealing with it all though, however it’s part of a big “to be continued” storyline, which is really quite gripping! I can’t wait to see what happens with it.

A thoroughly enjoyable addition to the series (it’s not a standalone so make sure that you read the first two books before this one), this drives us into a deeper and particularly enthralling story!
Recommended for urban fantasy lovers.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many twists and turns

There were quite a few unexpected things that happened in this one. And one thing led to another to another with many twists and turns…but that LAST one?! Wheeew! That was a doozy.

I don’t know how I’d be feeling right now if I were Sophie, either. But I’m just loving her friends rallying around her…and Mac. He’s turning out to be quite the amazing boyfriend.

Speaking of Mac, can we also appreciate that he’s a shifter that ISN’T a wolf, NOR an alpha? I love that he’s not domineering and dictatorial and gives Sophie space and respects her independence, but he’s also protective and supportive and comforting all at once. Don’t get me wrong - nothing wrong with a strong, domineering alpha - but sometimes you want someone different. And Mac fits the bill!

[Dallass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cracker of an adventure for Sophie.

What can I say, this was just what I was needing at this moment. A fun, fast paced interesting read that wasn’t complete fluff, but didn’t make the little grey cells work overtime either. I loved the mystery, and the fact that Sophie and Ruby are pushed together for this case. It was set outside of San Francisco, but we do get to see the whole gang (if only briefly). Carson was a surprise, and so was the revelation at the end of the book. Love what a minefield they have uncovered, and whatever I was expecting about Sophie’s past, what we discovered wasn’t even an inkling in my imagination. So good. Now it’s a waiting game for book four to be released.

4.5 stars ⭐️

[Dawn Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Series!

Sophie is an odd and complex individual. Ruby is odder still. Gwen DeMarco has created an interesting world within our world. The mythicals in this series are a diverse and fascinating mix that along with the ones in her group help create a whole main character.
I recommend this book but if you want to comprehend the full story of Sophie you really should start at the beginning!

P.S. Gwen please update your webpage once in a while. I got very frustrated waiting for the audio to come out. This book wasn't even on it last time I checked it and now I have to wait for the next book! Your books just keep getting better so please hurry! Its frustrating waiting to find out what happens next.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: Book 3 of the "Sophie Feegle" series was as exciting as the first two books. Sophie and her sister, Ruby, were being sent to the Mythical town of Murias in order to use their powers to figure out who was behind a series of bizarre murders. The mystery was convoluted. I enjoyed all the new shifters that were introduced. I liked the slow development of the relationship between the sisters. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Janine Granda's narration was skillful, and her performance was entertaining. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb.
This series is getting better. Sophie moves out of San Francisco for a while and meets up with another set of wonderful characters who don't know quite what to make of her. Mac's father for one. The story is fast paced with lots of twists and turns throughout. A brilliant battle scene in the middle of the book when the Wolf Shifters make an appearance had me on the edge of my seat. The balance between the action and the romance was not as noticeable and this suited me much better! LOL! A highly recommended listen but do read the first 2 books first as the storyline runs throughout. I can't wait to get my teeth in to the next instalment.

[Biggs_bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie has given up on normal but a trip to a small blended town with her new love interest sounds! Right?!?! Maybe not so much if your tracking down bad guys and have you’re new serial killer sister at your side. This becomes a true bonding experience as well as a deep dive into the sisters. It’s still full of fun, snark and some heat but there’s so much more. Being able to see the dead’s past moments and her sister being able to see who has killed someoje with a touch sends them on the hunt for a killer running amok in Maks dad’s town. Hold on to your butts because man this was a ride.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel this series is improving with each subsequent book. This one in particular brought some very twisty and diabolical murders to light. It also solved a few issues thought left in SF. In the end, a very unexpected reveal about Ruby and Sophie and their past really shakes things up. It also starts to explain some of the shared dreams the two are having. Mac and Sophie's relationship moves up a level since the setting for this one is in Mac's father's town. A unique blending of mythical and humans.

[Peter S Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a good red wine - it keeps getting better….

This is the third instalment of the “Odd” community. The first two ambled along without power but provided a good read. However, this tale really kicks you when you do not expect it and it kicks hard. Gwen D has created a monster that you should be wary of, instead you end up supporting this so called monster. Till the next time - hopefully it will be soon….

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odd Times for Sophie Feegle, the third book of the Sophie Feegle series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). The pacing for book two was a little slower for me--probably the many settings outside the morgue-- but I felt the author gifted the reader with more substance this time. The series has a wonderful cast of quirky characters and some fun interplay and dialog. I'm looking forward to more books in this series.

[Sarah Leenart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the first couple of books in this series and although I was slightly disappointed we didn't get more of Sophie in the morgue with her team, the new location of the town where Mac's father is sheriff was a delight. The new dynamic of somewhere that magical creatures are out in the open was fun and I enjoyed Sophie being welcomed into the family. The mystery was grim and kept me reading whilst the characters have me guaranteed back for more in the next book.

[Kimberly #Audiofile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous as usual, I’m such a big fan of Sophie and her odd crew. I’d enjoy a little more smut between Sophie and her fox shifter to bump the rating up to a would 5 but this doesn’t reflect on the story building or character development of Sophie and the team.
We get so much more info back Sophie and who and what she is in this one, narrative was done well.
Bring on the next audio, I’m here for it!

[Janie]

OMG ON TO THE NEXT BOOK!!!

I'm liking ruby more and more.. I love her badass self.. I like she chooses her self in an situation where it's the monster or her n she comes out swinging everytime. I know she a fraction of SOPHIE. But I'm biased I like ruby more.
I still enjoy the loyalty of hEr friends.. And the way the townspeople came out and took care of them. They needed to be put down.. Now ain't no getting back up lol

[Emilye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Quite Chip And Dale

SophieFeegle3;4.5 ⭐️

With finding Ruby, Sophie now has an identical twin. They are nothing alike in personality but definitely share some mannerisms. And both now come under the Conclave’s aegis. Which means neither one can say, No thanks, when asked to help with an investigation out of town.

They agree to leave until the issues with the Sunset Drive pack are resolved. Like that’s gonna happen 🙄

But, is Sophie ready to meet Mac’s father?

[Aighmi* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I listened to the audiobook, ably narrated by Janine Granda, and could not stop listening. This book was so gripping! Sophie and her small gang of found family solve some unexpected murderers on their visit north of San Francisco...one set the hard way, with she and her sister Ruby finding themselves lined up as the next victims of a most nefarious plot. They also learn more about their past that...SPOILERS. You must read this book and series!!

[Kay Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure!

This story just delivered a major twist! I love it. This series delivers! If you are looking for a series with a fresh perspective look no further. This series grabs and holds your attention with well orchestrated plots. Sophie and her Odd Ones are not your typical crew!

[Terra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie is a force to be reckoned with

These books get better with each new release, which is saying a lot as the first one hooked me. Sophie’s lovable grumpy self, and her growing entourage make these a great read; never mind who doesn’t love a good mystery. I highly recommend this book and series.

[Dew · Rating 4 out of 5]

ParaNorCal

I truly enjoy these books and recommend them to any reader looking for a solid paranormal mystery novel. The characters are interesting and I like the way that the series is developing. My only quibble is that the time between each book and the publication of the next is long.

[Dana-Rae Dancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

I love Sophie, enough snark to keep her “real” I enjoy the world she lives in and her friendships with mystics and humans. No love angst, just mysteries to solve and life to live. I like that they are stand alone books, with no cliffhangers, just hints of the next story coming. Can’t wait to get the next book!

[Marie M Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more!!

Gwen Demarco is infinitely talented and I love the characters she's created. But she needs to write faster. You throw this curveball and don't have the next book ready is just not right. Love the action even slightly crazy Rose is endearing. I'm waiting for the next installment. Great series so far.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully creative story with characters that are well written and unique. I've no idea how many times I laughed out loud at the conversations, but it was often. When a story is written that makes me feel like I know the characters or would fit in as part of their group of friends, it's a winner in my book!

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely amazing!

I read this the moment it came out and could not put it down. It was so interesting and had turns that I didn’t expect in it. Absolute love this series and I can’t wait for the next book!