Stage Fright

Bewitching Midlife Crisis Mystery #1

by Dakota Cassidy

Alternate cover edition of ASIN B0BK8FBRMS

If you want to know who unalived you, I'm your girl. Evanora Lavinia Dark at your service!

Heart attack/stroke/open-heart surgery survivor, new-lease-on-life starter, astral-projecting-ghost-talker.

And most importantly, a witch over fifty with bursitis, blood pressure meds, and zero effs to give.
I’m done with corporate life—or maybe it was done with me first— and after a life-changing stroke followed by a heart attack and a subsequent quadruple bypass. All this just before boarding a plane for my lifetime dream trip to Hawaii.

Clearly, it was time for a change.

So I moved back to my hometown and my passion. Interior design. I have no experience, no degrees in the field, but I jumped in with both feet and opened my own house staging business--Stage Right. Nowadays, you can find me happily decorating houses for my best friend, house flipper, and real estate agent, Fabiola Fabrizio.

Together, we’re determined to give our town, Buttermilk Bay, located in Massachusetts (not far from Salem) a facelift and bring in young families to stir up the economy. Little by little, people are beginning to take notice of my work and hiring me on the daily and that’s great for my bank account.

There’s only one problem. Ghosts. Sooo many ghosts. Ghosts I started to see after my bypass surgery (cliche, right?). Ghosts who were murdered and need my help to solve the mystery surrounding their deaths. Do you have any idea how hard it is to carry a fifty pound chandelier while a ghost is in your ear, hassling you to find their killer?

When a guy named Ferris Leopold is found dead at the house next door to the one I’m staging, it’s full steam ahead to solve his murder. Or is it? Ferris was a lowdown dirty, albeit petty thief in life and I’m struggling to set aside my morals in order to help him.

But as I dig deeper into Ferris’s past, meet a hot AF silver fox of a man, and explore my new powers in the process, I discover not everything is as it seems...

Genres: Paranormal, Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

216 pages, ebook

First published August 29, 2022

About the author

Dakota Cassidy is a national bestselling author with over thirty books. She writes laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, grab-some-ice erotic romance, hot and sexy alpha males, paranormal shifters, contemporary kick-ass women, and more.

Invited by Bravo TV, Dakota was the Bravoholic for a week, wherein she snarked the hell out of all the Bravo shows. She received a starred review from Publisher Weekly for Talk Dirty to Me, won an RT Reviewers Choice Award for Kiss and Hell, along with many review site recommended reads and reviewer top pick awards.

Dakota lives in the gorgeous state of Oregon with her real life hero and her dogs, and she loves hearing from readers!

Connect with Dakota online: https://twitter.com/DakotaCassidy https://www.facebook.com/DakotaCassid...

Join Dakota Cassidy’s Newsletter The Tiara Diaries! Join here: http://mad.ly/signups/100255/join

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stage Fright is a wonderfully engaging story from beginning to end. The characters are endearing and vibrant. Evanora Dark and Fabiola Fabrizio draw readers into their drama filled lives. Although this is book one in the Bewitching Midlife Crisis Mysteries series, I felt like I was meeting old friends.

Evanora is a witch that can see and talk with ghosts. With this power she has taken on the responsibility of helping the ghosts resolve issues so they can move on. Stage Fright involves a murder wrapped in a mystery with plenty of action.

This story had a great plot, interesting cast of characters, good backstories, wonderful family support, and the mystery is solved without a cliff-hanger. Dakota Cassidy does offer a little something at the end to keep readers coming back for more.

Stage Fright is a fantastic way to start a new series. Highly recommend.

I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series, but I feel like i missed something....is this a spinoff from another series? Light references to things that happened before, without any details, like she lost a HR job before being a stager, then there was a lawsuit? Her dad died, causing her heart attack? Which was also a stroke? And the dead dad was a secret jewel theif. She solved a womans murder previously and let the police take all the credit? And that was all her friend said about it?!
Maybe I'm just used to cosy mysteries where we get to see people come into their powers like seeing ghosts in real time.

[Vickie Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story.

[Víctoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐ DNF'ed at like 15%
This story wasn't captivating at all. The synopsis sounded so good, something different and off my radar. And it just disappointed me so much. I couldn't get into it. Was listening to it over audio book and just... Couldn't keep my attention on the story.

What I did gather of the writing, it was good. There's a lot of potential here, the author does a really good job of getting pretty descriptive. But it just wasn't my cup of tea, then add on the fact that it was a series? No thanks. I am way behind on my reading goal this hear already and I just had to force myself to DNF cause I don't have the time to struggle through an audio book that should have only taken me a day to listen to.

[Lucy Dosch (EBookObsessed) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea but the story was boring.

Evanora Lavinia Dark is a woman in her 50s who recently survived a massive cardiac event. After her near death experience, Evanora (or Evan) now speaks with ghosts. It helps that Evan is a witch by blood.
Those ghosts mostly have unfinished business, like who might have murdered them. And she can also speak with her deceased father, but once she learned of his secret life of crime after his passing, she hasn't forgiven him enough to really want him around yet.

Evanora is a big fan of murder podcasts so she is mostly excited to help the spirits solve their crimes, although she mostly calls in anonymous tips. Really, how would she explain to the police that the dead guy told her what happened.

I liked the idea of this story.  I even liked Evanora who left her stressful HR job to stage houses for local realtors, including her BFF,  Fabiola Fabrizio.  Fabiola was gung-ho about helping Evanora solve ghostly mysteries until she gets knocked out by a suspect.  Fab spent too much time watching over her dying friend to allow her to get close again.   So now that leave Evan skulking around behind her friend's back.

Evanora is also introduced to a hot local contractor who is a love interest but aside from asking about her and bumping into her a few times, he is just a hot guy in the background.

I know this was a cozy mystery but it was more a boring mystery.  Evanora is trying to help the ghost who was killed trying to steal a spoon from a local second-hand store.  Apparently this spoon dates back to Roman times.  That's it.  Evanora is trying to find a spoon and more bodies keep showing up--over a spoon.

Dakota Cassidy also writes my favorite witch/spy guy cozy mysteries.  Maybe they aren't any more exciting an investigation, but they also include Stevie, Win, Arkady (in plan limbo), and a little bat named Bellfry.  Much more fun than a 50 year old living in her father's retirement village trailer home and hanging out with the retirees there.

This series will not be further investigated by me.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

Maybe because Evan and I have something in common? I enjoyed reading about someone my age doing good deeds and living her best life. She's had some struggles, health wise, but now things are better and she is determined to live life to the fullest. Now if only her quest to help a new ghost solve his murder doesn't kill her.

After nearly dying herself, Evan awakens from surgery with a new gift, she sees ghosts. When one ghost seeks her out after dying next door to a house she was staging for her BFF, the hunt is on to find the murderer. The problem is, she isn't equipped to play detective and when another person is killed, things have gotten more dangerous.

Juggling family, friends, work, and a budding romance, with solving a murder at her age with a body that feels all 53 of its years? Gotta love her.

[Linda Mundorff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evanora Lavina is a fifty-something interior designer living in small town Buttermilk Bay, Massachusetts. A medical crisis triggers paranormal abilities where she can see and communicate with ghosts, and the word has spread so now she has ghosts coming to ask for her help in solving their unnatural deaths! Raised by two dads, her deceased biological father helps her with these unsolved crimes at night, while she works alongside her childhood bestie, Fabiola, during the day staging homes to be put on the market.
Overall, A clever take on a paranormal cozy murder mystery that involves family secrets, new founded magical abilities, and a slow burning romance all wrapped up nicely in a women’s midlife crisis cozy mystery. It’s an intriguing storyline, with likeable characters and a protagonist that has more layers than an onion! At times, the book dragged, and I would have liked the ending to flow gracefully into the series next book, instead of the abrupt ending. But it is still a likeable book, and I recommend it.

[Meep · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stuff-your-kindle free via amazon.

Yikes, I've got a headache!
The names are maybe a pointer; Evanora Lavinia Dark, Fabiola Fabrizio, oh and Cary Mann who is all man! Geddit?

Evan is THAT woman. Already heard all her ailments, problems, plenty 'but more on that later', oh and her buisness and opinions on decorating.
The OMG I said hello and brought this info dump on myself, person.

The writing is very chatty, extraneous, wordy.

A ghost appeared. We heard all about Evans talent, about a German newcomer's buisness and muscles - the ghost is still hovering by the ceiling fan and I'm out of patience. I don't care, I want an aspirin and to escape the quirky Evans.

[Emilye · Rating 5 out of 5]

BewitchingMidlife1

Evanora Dark sees dead people. It started after her near death experience following a stroke and a heart attack. Divorced with a grown son, she moved back home to the mobile home left to her by her father, and visits with her dad, who remarried.

Her father pops in, her best friend knows she sees ghosts, and Evan is trying to launch a decorate homes for sale business. Then she find the dead body, and the ghost who wants her to solve his murder - but all he remembers is shoes.

It’s sorta funny and sorta sad, and eventually going somewhere.

[monacia williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan sees ghosts

Interesting well developed characters. Evanora is the feisty main character who despite attesting to the fact that she is a witch, does not show much 'w itchiness'. The relationship between Evan and Fab is one that many siblings much less friends would dream to have.
Interesting storyline, it did not require much deep thinking to work out who the killer was, although the solution provided by the author was very different from the one in mind.
The book is definitely worth the time spent reading it.

[Angels · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful new paranormal cozy series. It features a fifty-something single who is starting over. She’s left her job behind and is doing what she loves. Evan sees ghosts and helps them solve their murders.

This was an interesting read and enjoyable. We loved the characters, and that Evan can talk to her departed father is a nice twist. The story vibes are who-dun-it vibes like a clue game, with a paranormal twist.

We are looking forward to what is in store for Evan next, using more of her witchy powers.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stage Fright is the first in a delightful new paranormal cozy series. It features a fifty something single empty nester who is starting over. She’s left her soul sucking job behind and is doing what she loves. She has a wonderful BFF and a hunky contractor has made his interest known. Evan sees ghosts and helps them solve their murders like a clumsy Jessica Fletcher.
I really enjoyed meeting Evan and her quirky cortege of friends. I can’t wait to see where the author takes this series.

[Mary Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

So o wow. What an incredible start to a new series. I literally sat down and couldn’t stop. I normally try to make it last longer but just couldn’t. Love love this book. Evan as her friends call her can now talk to ghosts after open heart surgery and now she is trying to help them fix what is keeping them here. While trying to help a ghost find a missing item her life is put in jeopardy. Can she help without dying too? Fast fabulous read

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ghost whisperer?

Until Evanora Lavinia Dark, had to have a quadruple bypass, she'd never seen it heard a ghost.

Now, it seems she has a bullseye on her, where they're concerned.

The new one that's appeared, Ferris Leopold, was killed while he was trying to steal a spoon.

He wants Evan to help him find the spoon!

But she realises that there's something he's not telling her.

I really enjoyed the characters, dead and alive.

Can't wait for more 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[Sharon M. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evanora and the Murdered Man!

Evanora and her best friend hear a scream and upon investigating comes across a man that has been bludgeoned to death. After calling the police, they are accosted by the man's ghost. He begged Evanora to find out who killed him. But it turned out there was a lot more to the story than just playing Sherlock Holmes. Good reading!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute one! What else would you do after you've had major life changes and almost died and can now see ghosts? Why you'd give up your high stress job, move in to your deceases dad's house, and when the ghosts you can now see ask for help, why you try to help if you can. This was so much fun and can't wait for the next one!

[Patty Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging, endearing, witty, made me want to be her best friend. Storyline flows well with enough unknown background info to make me feel like I just made a new friend. Delightful delivery. Enjoyed this very much.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book.

After a heart attack and stroke, Evanora Dark died but was resuscitated. Life went on but now she can see ghosts - especially ones that were murdered. Her best friend, Fabiola Fabrizio, is working hard to believe her new skills and to help her solve the murders.

[Keerthana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first book by the author and I am not a fan of the writing. Too many repeat phrases and descriptions (I mean word-to-word) which was very irritating to me. Apart from that, the story was okay and I wasn't waiting at the edge of my seat to find out who the killer was.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sluething

Interesting read, Evan is very quirky, loved that about her.. The ghosts showing up @ the strangest times, her helping them to solve their murders, so they can rest in peace....

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining

[TacoFan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me, I did not find Evan likable.

[Angie Titus · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

I enjoyed this. I liked all the characters, including Evan's pets, and I found the mystery interesting and engaging.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story. Would definitely read more in the series.

[Angel Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great new series by Dakota Cassidy. I always enjoy her books and I recommend this new series to old and new fans. The new interior design business is ghostly good!

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, it did the cozy paranormal thing it was meant to do.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok for me. I didn’t enjoy it as much as her others.

[Wattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. I liked that Evan was a bit older. Some plot holes and general silliness, but engaging all the same.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable! There was a lot of “I’ll explain that later” from the main character that left me a little annoyed during the first 20%. It was enough moments that it stood out. Overall adorable though!