Sunday 30 June 2024

CRYSTALS, BELLADONNA, AND MURDER


Crystals, Belladonna, and Murder by Leanne Leeds
Book 1 in the Silver Circle Cat Rescue Mysteries series
Narrated by Meghan Kelly
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


A cantankerous former mayor.
A dead man with a secret.
A midlife magic gift with a murder mystery that keeps you guessing.

When forty-nine year old Eleanor Rockwell was laid off from her soul-crushing corporate job, she moved a few miles north of Austin with her daughter, Evie, and opened Silver Circle Cat Rescue in the small town of Tablerock, Texas.

Five years later, SCCR is Wildebridge County's largest shelter for lost kitties, so it's no surprise when Deputy Markham brings Belladonna — former mayor Fiona Blackwell's cat — to the shelter after she's arrested for murdering her husband, Beau. But why, Eleanor wonders, did the Deputy bring a silver drink tray with the sullen cat — and why is Belladonna talking when she walks on it?

Something strange is going on in Tablerock, and Eleanor is determined to get to the bottom of it. Can she unravel the mystery before it's too late, or will she fall victim to the town's sinister spell?

Join Ellie, Evie, and all the cats at Silver Circle Cat Rescue in this new cozy paranormal midlife mystery series!
Source: Info in the "About Crystals, Belladonna, and Murder" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61380776-crystals-belladonna-and-murder on 30/06/2023.


Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


Ellie Rockwell
My Thoughts:
This is my second Leanne Leeds series.

I find Eleanor, our main protagonist, not just a little dim but a whole lot dim! So, Fiona told her exactly what she wants her to do. Find the murderer. But she keeps asking what Fiona wanted her to do, confused?!? Cecelia, the estate agent, talks about how big a commission that Fiona's big house will bring and Sadie had to explain what the "commission" is to Eleanor.

The whole town is not much better. A husband cheats on his wife so they blame the wife and elect the mistress as mayor because the mistress is clearly of impeccable standing. The townsfolk chased a goth kid with a shaved head and a mohawk to the woods, and when asked why or if they know who the kid was, nobody can tell the police.

I've forgotten this about Leanne Leeds, her love of stupid. Stupid characters. Stupid people.

Meghan Kelly's voice is soft and soothing to the ears. I love that about her! However, she reads with a singsong. **sigh**


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 3.5
Character development = 3
Story itself = 3.5
Writing Style = 3.5
Ending = 3
World building = 4
Cover art = 4
Pace = (6 hrs and 31 mins listening time)
Plot = 3
Narration = 4


Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries


Book 1: CRYSTALS, BELLADONNA, AND MURDER Book 2: HONEY, HAIRBALLS, AND MURDER Book 3: NUGGET, COINS, AND MURDER Book 4: FAIRY TALES, FRUTICAKE, AND MURDER Book 5: SNOWBALLS, FLUFF, AND MURDER Book 6: TACOS, TAROT, AND MURDER Book 7: FLUFFY, FLIP FLOPS, AND FOUL PLAY Book 8: SUNBEAM, FLOWERS, AND SABOTAGE Book 9: BOOTS, BLITZEN, AND BURGLARY Book 8: (TBC)


 
Meet The Author

About Leanne Leeds:
Leanne Leeds writes witty, funny, and exciting paranormal cozy mysteries that are light-hearted explorations of offbeat small-town America. With a cast of quirky characters inhabiting her fictional world, Leanne provides a unique blend of comedy, clues, and twisty action — all with a touch of magic that keeps readers turning pages.

You can also visit her at leanneleeds.com for free stories, to join her newsletter.


The Narrator

About Meghan Kelly:
Meghan Kelly is a Proud member of SAG/AFTRA and has narrated 450+ Audiobooks in the genres of Romance, Comedy, Paranormal, Fantasy, Cozy Mysteries, Thrillers and Erotica. After ten years of being on the "other side of the business" as a Franchised Talent Agent/Casting Director in NYC & Detroit, Meghan decided to pursue her own performance aspirations. She now works full-time as a narrator, voice-over artist, and singer. Meghan is a versatile actress who draws from a huge emotional pool bringing a variety of characters to life. She specializes in bringing the emotional truth to every story..but definitely with a bit of Snark, Sass & Sexy whenever possible!



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

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